Column covering



H. L. OWEN COLUMN COVERING July 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1962 .N N EW T V T m A L W W July 27, 19 5 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1962 R m m m L W I m n 3 n N K 7/ I l 4 I M HARRY OWEN fi gfiwm ATTORNEY July 27, 1965 H. LwOWEN 3,196,495

COLUMN COVERING Filed Oct. 8. 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 3 IO B I I I 30 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,196,495 COLUMN COVERING Harry L. Owen, 907 Cedar St, Niles, Mich. Filed (let. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 228,913 12 Claims. (Cl. 20-16) This invention relates to improvements in column coverings, and more particularly to a metal covering for a metal tubular column commonly used in stores, factories and other commercial buildings.

Heretofore it has been common practice to apply mating extruded or other metal column covers over wood furring applied to a column. The operation of applying furring to a tubular metal column requires the services of a carpenter and requires the operation of cutting wood furring strips to size, drilling and tapping holes in the furring strips and the tubular column to receive anchoring screws, and then requires the use of screws to secure together the overlapping portions of the legs of U-shape metallic cover members. Because of the requirement to utilize skilled labor, and the number of operations and the amount of materials required, the application of column coverings is time-consuming and expensive.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel and simple column covering which can be applied rapidly with minimum manipulation and minimum parts by workers experienced in the installation of store fronts and curtain wall constructions, as distinguished from carpenters.

A further object is to provide a column covering of this character formed of two U-shaped parts of which at least one is self-locating and accommodates snap locking application of the other thereto for the purpose of completing a covering.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of my new column covering applied to a metal column;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the use with my column covering of a door having a hinge attached to the column covering and a window sash attached to the column covering;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating my improved column covering, having associated therewith windowmounting sash and a corner unit mounting a second sash extending at an oblique angle to the first sash;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating my improved column covering mounting doors at opposite sides thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating my column covering having three panel-mounting sash structures secured thereto in different relations.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral designates a tubular metal column of the character commonly used in the construction of commercial buildings. Such columns are formed of steel having an inner diameter of approximately two and one-half inches, and having an outer diameter usually ranging from about two and seven eighth inches to two and fifteen-sixteenth inches. Such columns are commonly referred to as three-inch columns. It will be understood that the columns are utilized in a structure for support of roof and ceiling structures, and

I are secured in place by brackets anchored to the floor in the manner well understood in the art and have secured thereby a part of a roof'or ceiling structure, such as a beam or truss, said brackets not being here shown.

My improved column cover consists of two coacting cover sections 12 and 14. These sections are preferably formed of aluminum or other material capable of being extruded and possessing desirable properties for use as trim members. Each of the members 12 and 14 is of uniform cross-sectional shape and size throughout its length and is generally of U-shape in cross-section. The member 12 has a central or web portion 16 and a pair of longitudinal leg portions 18 extending in parallel relation from the opposite margins of the web portion 16. The web portion 16 will preferably be of a width in the order of four inches, and the width of each of the leg portions 18 will be approximately two inches or one-half the width of the web 16. In equally spaced relation to the respective legs, are formed a pair of spaced longitudinal flanges 20 preferably extending in parallel relation to each other and to the legs 18. The width of the flanges 20 will preferably be approximately one-half of the difference between the width of web 16 and the outer diameter of column 10. Each of the legs 18 has formed integrally therewith a longitudinal flange 22 extending obliquely inwardly from the free margin thereof in inwardly offset relation so as to define a longitudinal groove or socket 24 adjacent the free edge of the cooperating leg 18. The flanges 22 extend in converging relation from the legs, and each carries or has integrally formed therewith an outwardly diverging obliquely extending longitudinal guide flange 26. The longitudinal corners 28 formed by the flanges 22 and 26 extend parallel to the web 16 and are spaced apart a distance less than the outer diameter of the column 10.

The member 12 is applied to the column 10 by a snap fit, namely by applying the guide flanges 26 thereof to the tubular column and then pressing uniformly in a direction parallel to the planes of the legs 18 so as to cause the guide flanges 26 and the flanges 22 to be flexed outwardly to pass over mid-center position on the column 10 and assume a position overcenter, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the free edges of the flanges 20 abut the column. The cover section 12 may then be oriented at any selected angle with relation to the column and one or more holes may be drilled in the web 16 between the flanges 20 and in and through the column 10. The holes in the column may then be tapped and one or more screws 30 may be passed through the holes and threaded in the tapped hole in the column to anchor the cover section 12 in desired relation to the column.

The other cover section 14 has a web 32 similar to the web 16 and has longitudinal legs 34 extending substantially parallel to each other and of a width approximately one-half the width of the web 32. A pair of spaced longitudinal flanges 36 extend inwardly from the central portion of the web, preferably being parallel to the legs 34 and of a width approximately one-half of the difference between the width of the web 32 and the outer diameter of the column 10. At its free margin each leg 34 has an inwardly projecting longitudinal head or rib 38 adapted to mate with the groove 24 of the member 12 and to seat 1 therein with a snap fit to provide an interlock with the part 12 at said groove. The parts are so proportioned that the free edges of the flanges 36 of the cover section 14 will contact or be positioned close to the column when the interlock 38, 24 is effected.

The column covering is preferably formed of material of thin cross-section, preferably not exceeding one-eighth inch in thickness. Such material formed of aluminum is capable of being flexed by hand. Thus, if any difliculty is encountered in applying the cover section 14 to the cover section 12, the legs 18 may be gripped manually and deflected inwardly sufficient to accommodate the beads or ribs 38 of the part 14 to effect the interlock. The interlock will extend continuously along the length of the joints between the two column sections and will be of suflicient strength to hold the parts assembled in operative position in normal situations. However, if desired, it is possible to utilize a securing screw or screws Patented July 27, 1965 31 tOflIlClClOI the'section 14 to the column in a manner similarly to that in which screws 30 anchorthe'member' At the same time that a I 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. firm and permanent interlock is provided by. the interfitting parts'24 and 38, v those parts also. permit separation of the parts of the-column'c0vering, if thatfbecomes de sirable. For this purpose a slight bevelmay be provided r at the abutting free edges of the legs lfiand 34 to de I the base 70 against'the leg 34 of the-removable column fine a V-groove into which a screwdriver or other prying tool may: be inserted to etfect separation of the column covering parts; 2 Alternatively, separation of the parts can be. effected; by applying squeezing pressure to flenthe legs 18 enough to free and release the beads 38 from' the grooves 24.

In nearly all cases in actual use, a window sash or' a-door will abut one side of'a' covered column. 'One; such arrangement is illustrated in FIG; 2. 3 In this construction a door '40 is mounted by means of 'a hinge 42 having-a hinge plate 44 which passes through an opening or slot formed in one leg 18 f the covering part-1'2;

A reinforcing plate 46" bears against the inner face of the. hinge plate 44 and securing screws 43are utilized'to connectthe hingep'late 44 to the web 160i covering 12 and to the reinforcing plate 46. A doorstep is mounted by the web 16 of the covering 12 and, in'the torm illus-. trated herein, consists of a plate 50 secured by screws 52 to the web 16 spaced from the door 40. -Theaplate 50 preferably! has longitudinal marginal locking fla'nges'54' adapted: for interlocking engagement with the free inargins'of. legs 56 0f a member of U-section having a .web 58. The legs 56 preferably include inwardly projecting longitudinal ribs 60 which seat in grooves inthe outer:

faces of. the flanges 54 of the plate'50. The U-shaped 102. The plate 190; is slightly narrower than'the web 16 and terminates spaced from the opposite edges or marcovering 14 serves to reinforce the snap interlock between the parts'24, 38 at the column covering wall'which is engaged by the sash base and thus provides secondary means to insure against accidental separation of the column covering part 14' from the other part 12 thereof.

Another arrangement utilizing this column covering with panel mounting sash at a corner between obliquely extending panels is illustratedin FIG. 3. In this instance the positively anchored column covering part 12 mounts a corner unit of the character illustrated in my co-pending applicatiomSe-r. No. 209,422,'filed July 12; 1962. This construction entails a base plate 100 in face engagement with the web 16 and secured' thereto by securing screws gins of web 16. One edge of the plate 100 has a longithe plate ltitl and .co nsists ofa plate 110 having a'longi ofthe plate 110 is formeda curved longitudinal plate 114 whose marginal portion overlapsthe flange 104 when its stoprstructure 56,58 is preferably provided with a ch'a'n-v nel=62 at one leg thereof facing the door which provides means for receiving a locking projection 64 on a V sealing strip formed of resilient material and adapted door. 49: when the door" is closed as illus-f to engage. the trated.i

It will be observed that the weight-and stress; upon the column coveringexerted by virt-ue'ot the mounting of the door40 is applied to thepart 12 of the column covering adjacent to the securing screws which mount the column covering part'1-2 and secure it to the column 10. 'T-hus it is possible that an adequate number of screws 30 can be utilizedto firmly secure the column tudinal flange 104 projecting substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The opposite margin of -the plate 100has a longitudinal offset 196' which terminates in a longitudie nal knuckle 1698. a A second corner unit cooperates with tudinal socket 112 of'arcuate cross-section fittingrrotatably aroundethe knuckle lltls; At 'the opposite margin free edge abuts against the margin of the web 16 of the column covering part'12.

- The plate 116, as here: illustrated, is provided with two sets of interlocking partsincluding outer longitudinal interlock parts 116 and inner. longitudinal parts 118'. The

" interlock .parts'llfi 'and 11S provide means for mounting removable sash parts 84 of the construction previously described. A hook 86 interlocks with lock part116 and an offset'leg end 83 interlocks'with interlock part 118. Longitudinal seal strips 90 carriedby'the' removable sash 84" cooperate to engageopposite'marginal surfaces of a covering part 12, especially adjacent the points at which the hinges 42 for the door are 'connected. The screws 30 are concealed,'however, by the doorstop 54', 58 and the sealing strip 66 and hence do not detract from the desired ornamental "appearance of thecolu'mn covering.

An arrangement'wherein a sash for a Window pane is mounted at a side of the column covering at anangle to the door is also illustrated in FIG. 2.. In this instance,

the sash is of the construction illustrated in my ce-pend ing application, Ser. No. 209,423, filed July l2, 1962., This sash includes a base plate'70 which is secured to a leg 18 of column 5 covering member 12 by securing screws 72'. The width of'the plate 70 is such that the plate spans the groove or joint between the legs =18 and,

34 of the column covering parts 12, 14.]The plate 70 has a longitudinal leg 74 which mounts a l-ongitudinal'seal 76. engageable withone surface of a panel 78, such as a'window pane.

may interlock with the part 82 The removable sash 84 preferablyv mounts a resilient longitudinal .sealingstrip; 90 opposite, the sealing strip 76 and cooperating there.-

with to yieldingly grip the marginal portion of the panel 78. i a

It will be noted.thattthegmounting' of the sash in this The plate 70 also has amargin'al longitudinal lockingleg 80' and'an intermediate longitudinal locking leg 82 which serve to effect a snap interlock with .7 parts of a removable sash member 84. Thus a hook 86 on 1 sash part 84-may interlock with part 80, and the laterally deflected margin 88 of an intermediate leg of the sash 84 I surface of-the margin of the panel 122 A removable panel or window. pane'lztl which extends obliquely to the web 16 of the column covering part 12 A second panel 122 extends substantially parallel to 'the web 16of' the column covering'l'z and is located substantially in the plane of the joint between column covering parts 12 and 14. The mounting for panel122 is here illustrated as consisting or a wood strip or backing'merrb ber 124 which is suitably secured to a leg '34 of the column covering part 14"t'o' provide an abutment for one sashstructure'of the character illustrated in my co-pending application, jSer. No. 209,423, cooperates with themember 124 tomount thepanellZZ. Thissash structure includes a base plate 126 secured to a1leg 18 of the column covering part 12 by a securingmember 128. A removable sash member 130 carrying a sealing strip 132 interlocks with projections on' the base plate 126 in the manner 'previouslydescribed and serves to hold the panel 122 in place by virtue of engagement of the sealing strip f 132 therewith whenthe panel-122"abuts the backing 124.

Insome instancesa column s'erves'asa mounting for" two adjacent doors. Such a'constructionis illustrated in FIG. 4. In this construction securing screws 31 are uti- ;lized to secure the'column covering parts 14 to the col-- In other respects the construction and arrangement of parts is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, and the same advantages; possessed in the mounting illustrated umn.

in FIG; 2 apply in this'construction. It'will be observed that the claimed construction accommodates tolerances aforementioned inthe dimensionof the column 10. In

this connectionit may be mentionedthat the widths of use of wood even for furring purposes.

a three-inch pipe column.

the stop flanges 20 and 36 of the column covering parts 12 and 14, respectively, are such that the free edges of those stops, and particularly stops 36, will engage the column when that column is of maximum permitted outer diameter under conditions where snap interlock 24, 38 is effected. In cases where the outer diameter of the column is less than maximum so that the inner edges of the stop flanges 36 would not normally contact the column when the interlock'24, 38, is eflected, a firm abutment of the flanges 36 of the covering part 14 with the column 10 may, nevertheless, be eitected by applying screws 3%) and 31 in a manner to flex the webs 16 and 32, respectively, of the column covering parts 12 and 14. In view of the limits of tolerance of outer diameters of columns, as mentioned previously, the maximum spacing between flanges 36 and the column when the interlock 24, 38 is effected, would be one-sixteenth inch. The use of two opposed screws or sets of screws 30 and 31 permits this distortion to be applied equally to the column covering parts 12 and 14 so that not more than one thirty-second of an inch distortion of either of webs 16 or 32 is required in the most extreme cases. Thus the construction accommodates for variations in the outer diameters of the column and makes possible the firm mounting of the column covering capable of supporting the weight and stress of two opposed doors, as illustrated in FIG. 4, without detriment to the strength or appearance or" the column covering. In this instance, it will be apparent that a deflection of one thirty-second of an inch in a web of a width of four inches is substantially undetectable, particularly in cases where the flexed web carries a door stop so as to prevent vision across the entire width of the deflected web.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a construction wherin the column cover has attached thereto panel-mounting sash at three faces thereof. The sash structures are designated A, B and C, respectively, and each thereof is of a construction illustrated in my co-pending application Ser. No. 209,423. The sash are of different constructions as may be advisable or desirable for the specific panels AA, BB and CC, respectively, mounted thereby. It will be observed that sash A and sash C are secured to webs of the column covering parts 14 and 12, respectively, and that sash B is secured to the leg 34 of column covering member 14 and spans and conceals the joint between the legs of column coverings 12 and 14. It will also be observed that by reason of the static character of panel mounting sash and the panels mounted, it is only necessary to anchor column covering member 12 to the column 10 by means of the screws 36). It will be understood, of course, that an optional arrangement would include abililty to anchor column covering 14 to the column 10 as well in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4.

The drawings herein illustrate some of the uses and combinations for which this column covering structure is suitable. In all such instances the advantages of simplicity of construction, ease of mounting and assembly, limitation of constituent parts, and ease of release and disassembly are evident. Likewise, it is evident that the column covering can be anchored positively and firmly in cases where it is subjected to stress. In all instances, the column covering maintains an attractive appearance. One of the important advantages of the construction is that it permits the use of column covering in fire districts of those cities which by ordinance prevent the It will be understood that, while reference has been made herein to the application of a column covering to a pipe column of nominal three-inch size of diameter, the construction is not limited to that dimension and is applicable to coverings or enclosures for both smaller and larger pipes than Other important characteristics of this column covering are that no factory fabrication of the parts of the covering is required, and, further, that none of the moldings need be extruded to extremely close tolerances or dimensions.

Another characteristic of the construction regarded as being of some importance is the fact that the flanges 22 and 26 will normally be positioned to insure a snap fit and interlock of the column covering part 12 upon column 10 of the smallest diameter permitted for a given nominal size of pipe column. Thus the thrust of the flanges 22 when fitted over column is outward. In practice it will be desirable to provide a shape of column covering part 14 in which the legs 34 extend at angles slightly less than degrees from the member 32 and in slightly converging relation rather than in exact parallelism, so that their thrust is toward the column 10. The inward thrust of the legs 34 and the outward thrust of the flanges 22 insure that the interlock of the two covering parts 12 and 14 at 24, 38 is firm by reason of outward springing of the free margins of the legs 34 of the covering part 14 compared to their normal extruded position or relation.

Another characteristic of the construction is that the flanges 22 may be formed of lesser thickness than the web 16 and legs 18 of the column covering member 12 so that, if excessive resistance to a snap interlock of the cover member 12 with the column is encountered, or if it is found that the fit of the cover upon the column is too loose, an adjustment can easily be made by slightly bending the flange 22 in order to compensate for the condition encountered. It is contemplated that the thickness of the flanges 22 may be in the order of onesixteenth inch and that such flanges formed of aluminum can be bent as required manually and without requiring the use of tools.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A column covering for a tubular metal building column, comprising a first metal covering member fitting with clearance around a part of said column and having spaced column-engaging parts,

means for securing said covering member to said column in predetermined relation and including snap grip of said column by a pair of converging columngripping flanges,

a second metal covering member fitting with clearance around the remainder of said column and having spaced column-engaging parts, and

complementary snap lock means carried by the marginal portions of said covering members and interfitting to interconnect said members.

2. A column covering for a tubular metal building column, comprising a first metal covering member fitting with clearance around a part of said column,

longitudinal converging flanges projecting from the margins of said covering member,

column-engaging longitudinal flange means on said covering member spaced from said converging flanges,

said converging flanges being adapted to grip a column with said flange means in engagement with the column,

a second metal covering member adapted to fit around the remainder of said column, and

complementary longitudinal interfitting snap lock means integral with the margins of said covering members and releasably interlocking the same.

3. A column covering for a tubular metal building column, comprising a first metal covering member of substantially U-shape in cross-section and of a size to fit with clearance around a part of the circumference of a column,

said convergingflanges being adapted to-grip a column with saidfirst named flange means engaging the column, and i a second metal covering member ofisubstantially V U-shape in cross-section and of a size'to fit with clearance around the remaining part of the circumference of said column, 7 a the marginal portionsfof said second covering mem ber including longitudinal inwardly projecting beads seating in said longitudinal grooves to interconnect the marginal portions of said covering members.

4. A' column covering as defined in claim 2, wherein. a

longitudinal diverging flanges are carried by the outer marginaliportions of said converging flanges and spread said converging flanges when pressed against saidcolumn to accommodatelsnap'locking of said;

first covering member on said column.

' 5. A column covering as defined in claim 2", wherein longitudinal column-engaging means are carried by the second covering member spaced from said snap lock means. I 1 1 a I 6. A column coveringas defined in claim 2, wherein said column-engaging flange means constitute a pair of substantially similar flanges'substant-ially equispaced fromthemargins of: said first covering member and spaced'apart a distance toaccommodate pas-- sage of a securing member therebetween. 7. In combination, a tubular-metal column,

a pair of complementarycovering members encircling said column with clearance, l a each member being of U shape in CI'OSS-SG'CUOIL' medial portion of one covering member,

,converging column grippingvfla'nges carried by the complementary. longitudinal, interfitting snap lock means integral with said covering members and respaced longitudinal flanges projecting inwardly ofihe leasablyinterlocking the marginal portions of said covering'members. 8. In combination,

- avtubular metal column, g v a pair of complementary covering members encircling said column with clearance,

' each member being of U-shapein cross-section,

spaced longitudinal column engaging'flanges projecting inwardly from one covering member,

converging column-gripping longitudinal flanges carmeans carried by and releasably interlocking the marginal portions of said covering member, adoor,and 9p hinge means supporting said door andincluding a hinge plate secured to said one covering member adjacent and substantially perpendicular to said spacedim wardly projecting first-named flanges andlsaid se-' ,v 7 a I a pair of "complementary covering members encircling curing means.

9. Incombination, I V

a tubular metal column,. I a

a pair of complementary covering 'said'column with clearance, I n a each member being of U-shape in cross-section,

members encircling a door stop carried by said a panel, "and a ,a frame carriedby oneof said covering members and a spaced longitudinal column-engaging flanges projecting a complementary longitudinal interfitting snap lock means integral with said covering members and 'releasably interlocking the marginal portions of said covering members, a'dooryf l hinge means supporting said door and including a hinge plate,

7 7 said one covering member being'slotted to receive said hingeplate in engagement with the inner face of said covering'member adjacent to said securing means and said first named flanges, a a reinforcing member abutting the hingeplate, and

securing means connecting said" reinforcing member j "and hinge plate to said 10. In combination;

a tubular metal column, a

a pair of complementary covering member's encircling said column with clearance,

one covering member.

. e'aclrmember being of U-shape incross-section,

' spaced longitudinal column-engaging flanges projecting inwardly from [one covering member, converging column-gripping flanges carried by the mar gins of said one covering member spaced from said I first named flanges, I securing means tconnectingsaid one covering member to said column and passing between said first named flanges, complementary longitudinal v interfittin'g snap lock means intergral with said covering members and releasably interlocking the marginal portions of-said covering members, e domt hinge means supporting said door and including a hinge plate securedto said one covering member adjacent and substantially perpendicular to said spaced inrgardly projecting flanges and said securing means, an e one covering member and overlying and concealing said securing means.

11. In combination, v a i a tubular metalcolumm;

I apair of complementary'covering members encircling complementary longitudinal interfitting snap lock means integrally carried by said covering members and releasably interlocking themarginal portions of said covering members, a

mounting a margin of said panel.

12.'In combination, I v a tubular metal column, Y

' spaced longitudinal column-engaging flanges projecting inwardly from one covering'member,

inner face of said converging column-gripping flanges carried by the margin of said one covering member spaced from said first name-d flanges,

securing means connecting said one covering member to said column and passing between said first named flanges,

complementary longitudinal interfitting snap lock means carried by and releasably interlocking the marginal portions of said covering members,

a panel, and

a frame carried by one of said covering members and mounting a margin of said panel,

said frame including a part secured to one covering member and overlying a portion of the other covering member and the snap lock means between said members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,716 7/33 Freeman 18934 2,917,793 12/59 Owen 2056.3 3,049,195 8/62 Leat et a1. 18934 FOREIGN PATENTS 526,779 3/54 Belgium.

RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. A COLUMN COVERING FOR A TUBULAR METAL BUILDING COLUMN, COMPRISING A FIRST METAL COVERING MEMBER FITTING WITH CLEARANCE AROUND A PART OF SAID COLUMN AND HAVING SPACED COLUMN-ENGAGING PARTS, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID COVERING MEMBER TO SAID COLUMN IN PREDETERMINED RELATION AND INCLUDING SNAP GRIP OF SAID COLUMN BY A PAIR OF CONVERGING COLUMNGRIPPING FLANGES, A SECOND METAL COVERING MEMBER FITTING WITH CLEARANCE AROUND THE REMAINDER OF SAID COLUMN AND HAVING SPACED COLUMN-ENGAGING PARTS, AND COMPLEMENTARY SNAP LOCK MEANS CARRIED BY THE MARGINAL PORTIONS OF SAID COVERING MEMBERS AND INTERFITTING TO INTERCONNECT SAID MEMBERS. 